Highway crash victim remembered as loving father, granddad
A much-loved Hervey Bay father and grandfather has been identified as the victim of a crash near Gympie which closed the Bruce Highway amid a tragic day on Queensland roads.
Fraser Coast
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A much-loved Hervey Bay father and grandfather has been remembered as someone who cared for his family and loved ones and “had his cheeky moments”.
John Hartley, 86, from Scarness was killed when he was driving on the Bruce Highway at Kybong on Monday.
The two-vehicle crash happened just before 6am when Mr Hartley’s car travelling northbound on the Bruce Highway at Kybong collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction.
He died at the scene.
Close family friend Raelene Cooper said it had been a sad day for his family.
She said Mr Hartley was “always funny and bubbly” but he had been left heartbroken by the loss of his wife Isobel three years ago.
It was then he moved to Hervey Bay where he lived in a unit close to the sea.
“The only good thing about today is that he was at peace with her, where he wanted to be,” Ms Cooper said.
She had known Mr Hartley since she was a child and was considered by him to be the daughter he never had.
He was a devoted father to his son and a loving grandfather, Ms Cooper said.
“He’s going to be sadly missed.”
Mr Hartley is survived by his son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and brother.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating and has appealed for anyone who might have dashcam footage to contact 131 444.
Originally published as Highway crash victim remembered as loving father, granddad
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